Amherst, Nova Scotia will once again celebrate its paranormal heritage when Esther Fest returns October 21 to 31, 2026. The festival honouring the infamous Great Amherst Mystery will run for 11 days, a shorter run than last year when the event started October 17 and went for 15 days.
The dates are confirmed on the official festival website. Organizers with The Great Amherst Cultural Society, the non-profit that has run Esther Fest since 2023, are urging local vendors and festival fans to note the adjusted timeline as they plan for this year’s celebration.
The festival, which started in 2017, draws inspiration from the Great Amherst Mystery, a reported poltergeist case centered on 18-year-old Esther Cox between 1878 and 1879. MacLean’s magazine once called it Canada’s most famous ghost story. Festival events typically include ghost walks, a psychic fair, ghost investigations, and the Great Amherst Street Party. Last year’s street party filled Victoria Square with live music, vendors, bounce castles, and a pie-eating contest.
Charlie Rhindress, the creator and executive director of Esther Fest, first pitched the idea to the town in 2016. He wrote a play about Esther Cox in 1991 and now serves as festival host and ghost walk guide. The festival was initially run by the Town of Amherst before The Great Amherst Cultural Society took over in 2023.
For more information on festival events and tickets, residents can visit the Esther Fest website.
